Matches for "Matthew Sparacino"

HARRINGTON, Del. - American Nitro ($2.10, Victor Kirby) and Leonard's Legacy ($2.40, Jon Roberts) each completed a sweep of their $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 2-year-old harness racing pacing eliminations Monday at Harrington Raceway with dominant victories.
Owned by Henry Faragalli III, Nanticoke Racing, Arthur Feeney and Daniel Doane, "Nitro" cruised to an easy win over White Lands and Bebop On The Block in 1:56.1, just one-fifth of a second faster than Leonard Hubbard's Leonard Legacy's 1:56.2 win over Aidan and Elite Retreat.
A son of Badlands Nitro for trainer Les Givens, American Nitro is now 3-for-4 in his career, while Tobago Cays-sired Leonard's Legacy notched his second career win for trainer NIck Callahan. The two pacers are set to square off in the $100,000 final on Wednesday October 2, when all four DSBF finals will be contested.
In the $17,000 overnight feature, the Open pace, Jane Ramsey and David Amos' Ideal Kiss ($6, Tony Morgan) was a 1:52 winner over Late Mail N and Highland Beach Boy. Trained by Don Brittingham, it was the fifth win of the year for the 6-year-old American Ideal gelding.
Tony Morgan had a driving triple, while Mike Cole and Roberts each had driving doubles.
On Tuesday September 24, there will be a pair of $20,000 DSBF eliminations for filly pacers, while both sexes for trotters on Wednesday September 25 will compete in four divisions.
by Matt Sparacino, for Harrington Raceway

HARRINGTON, Del. - Four $20,000 divisions of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) for 2-year-old harness racing trotters headlined the Wednesday program at Harrington Raceway.
The first division saw an impressive front end effort by Linda Macdonald's Stella A ($7, Ross Wolfenden) score a 2:03 victory over Alert and Dabigspookybootah. The Anders Bluestone filly is trained by Joe Macdonald.
The second filly division went to Elizabeth Kimmel and Donald Wiest's Orabelle ($6, Tony Morgan) over Pretense and Wolfcat in 2:04.3. The Keystone Activator filly is trained by co-owner Wiest.
The first split for male trotters resulted in Rod Allen's Zulu ($2.60, Allen) prevailing over Air Time and Shiloh in 2:04. Zulu (Cr Commando) is a full brother to Disco Soliel, reigning 3-year-old filly DSBF champ.
Five different stallions were represented in the final division, which was won by Breakaway Racing's Touch Of White ($5.40, Corey Callahan) over Chauffeur and Master Of Mine in 2:03.2. Touch Of White (Keystone Activator) is trained by Nick Callahan.
In the overnight feature, the $17,500 Open Trot, Wade Wyatt's Common Parlance ($9.60, Sean Bier) was a 1:56.3 winner over Murmur Hanover and Jammin Jack. Trained by Crissy Crissman-Bier, it was his fifth win of the season.
The second leg of DSBF action will get underway Monday September 23 with the pacing colts. Tuesday will feature the pacing fillies with the trotters in action again Wednesday.
The $100,000 final events will take place October 2.
by Matt Sparacino, for Harrington Raceway

HARRINGTON, Del. - Harness racing's Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz and American History Racing, the owners of American History ($10.20, Joe Bongiorno) saw their top pacer win the 13th Annual $150,000 Bobby Quillen Memorial Pace at Harrington Raceway Monday in 1:49.3.
The half-mile racetrack named their richest race in honor of long time Delaware legislator Bobby Quillen, who passed away in 2006. Quillen was an avid supporter of harness racing and was also a board member at Harrington Raceway.
American History, a 4-year-old American Ideal stallion wore down pacesetter None Bettor A in deep stretch for a narrow win. Sectionline Bigry was third. It was the 4th fastest mile ever at Harrington, behind Wiggle It Jiggleit (1:49), Betterthancheddar (1:49.2) and Clear Vision (1:49.2).
American History was forced three-wide after cover stalled near three-quarters and continued a steady gain on None Bettor A before out kicking him late. None Bettor A set fractions of 26.4, 55 and 1:22.4 while Backstreet Shadow pressured first over before retreating.
Tony Alagna trains American History.
A huge crowd was on hand in the winner's circle to greet American History
Delaware Governor John Carney was in attendance, in addition to several other legislators and Delaware Secretary of Finance Rick Geisenberger, and Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse.
Four $20,000 divisions for 2-year-old Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) pacers also helped comprise the 15-race card, including the early non-wagering event won by Henry Faragalli, Arthur Feeney, Bay Pond Racing Stable and Bonnuccelli Racing's Bag of Jewels (Victor Kirby) in 1:57.4. The Roddy's Bags Again filly notched her second career win over Sprinkles On Top and I'm Two Soxy. The winner was trained by Les Givens.
Givens and Kirby was back in the winner's circle in the first division for male pacers as American Nitro was an easy winner over Apple Valley Art and Aidan in 1:56.2. Owned by Farragalli, Nanticoke Racing Stable, Feeney and Daniel Doane, it was the second win in three career starts for the Badlands Nitro gelding.
The third DSBF division on the card was the second for male pacers as Leonard Hubbard's Leonard's Legacy ($2.80, Jon Roberts) was a dominant winner in 1:56.4 for trainer Nick Callahan. The Tobago Cays colt was a front end winner over White Lands and Bebop On The Block.
The final DSBF division was for fillies as Brenda Teague's She's Got The Lynx ($2.80, Montrell Teague) was a 1:59.1 winner over Dragon My Fannie and Spin Sumthin. The Southwind Lynx filly improved to 2-for-2 in her career after breaking her maiden in an overnight event on September 10 for her owner/trainer.
In the $18,500 Open, Bryan Truitt's Highland Beach Boy ($35.80, VIctor Kirby) was a 1:52.3 winner over Q's Cruise and Ideal Kiss.
The Bryan Truitt-trainee notched his 8th win of the year.
Racing fans were also treated to the presence of three-time Quillen Memorial winner, Foiled Again, who was available for meet-and-greet trackside. Foiled Again, the richest standardbred of all-time, is now enjoying retirement but has a generous temperament that has lent itself to a number of continued racetrack interactions with fans thanks to his generous connections which include trainer Ron Burke. Local television host Heather Vitale was instrumental in scheduling Foiled Again's visit.
by Matt Sparacino, for Harrington Raceway

HARRINGTON, Del. - Though there is no harness racing standout in tonight's 13th Annual $150,000 Bobby Quillen Memorial at Harrington Raceway, the field is an accomplished bunch that is well traveled.
With a horse from Canada, Ohio and several from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, geographic diversity is prevalent in this year's Quillen.
Post time for Harrington Raceway's 14-race program starts at 4:30 p.m. with pick four wagering in races 3 and 8. There are three Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) 2-year-old pacing divisions to augment the program, in addition to a $18,500 Open.
The Quillen is the evening's 8th race, which is the biggest purse race of the day for harness racing in North America. Here are some notes on this year's Quillen field.
1 - Prairie Panther (6/1, Tyler Buter) - Enters off a 3rd place finish in the $100,000 Northeast Open Series final at Pocono Downs. The lone 5-year-old in the field has 10 wins this season and took his mark of 1:48.3 on July 27 at the Meadowlands. Trainer Michael Deters is making his first Quillen appearance.
2 - Sectionline Bigry (5/2, Tyler Smith) - Some may call him the "mystery horse" in the field with an impressive 18-11-2-3 slate this year. The 4-year-old has been the scourge of the Open ranks in Ohio but is relatively untested versus Monday's rivals. Trainer Steve Bauder is making his first Quillen appearance.
3 - Scott Rocks (12/1, Eric Goodell) - The elder statesman at age 9, finished second in last year's Quillen final and is the only previous Quillen entrant. He is one of 2 millionaires in the field and Is conditioned by Hunter Oakes.
4 - None Bettor A (3/1, Jason Bartlett) - He's banked a healthy $317,470 this year and has yet to finish off the board in 15 starts this year, 11 of those were victories. He is no stranger to half-mile racing and won the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie earlier this year at Northfield Park. He is trained by Andrew Harris.
5 - American History (9/2, Joe Bongiorno) - From the powerful Tony Alagna barn, this 4-year-old has been razor sharp of late with a recent 1:50 win at Yonkers Raceway. Though he had a slow start to his 4-year-old season after a sophomore campaign when he banked more than $500,000, he has regained form of late should be one of the betting favorites.
6 - Slick Tony (12/1, Russell Foster) - The lone local horse in the field, the 4-year-old has won 2 straight impressively at Harrington and is the only horse in the field with a start over the track this season. He has won nearly half of his 62 career starts and is trained by his owner and breeder, George Leager of nearby Sudlersville, Md., a town with a diminutive population of about 500, known for being the birthplace of hall-of-fame baseball player Jimmie Foxx.
7 - Courtly Choice - (7/1, James Macdonald) - The Canadian 4-year-old sprung an upset in the Canadian Pacing Derby on 8/31 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and is still revered for his impressive Little Brown Jug win at age 3, in addition to a 1:47.1 win in the Meadowlands Pace. He is trained by Blake Macintosh. His $356,300 earned this year is the highest in the field.
8 - Backstreet Shadow (6/1, Tim Tetrick) - A mid-season acquisition for trainer Ron Burke, this 4-year-old has been a winning machine with 10 wins in 21 starts this year, including 5 straight in sub-1:50 times. Burke has an unparalleled 6 Quillen victories, including 3 with legendary pacer Foiled Again, who will be at Harrington Monday evening for a meet and greet.
by Matt Sparacino, for Harrington Raceway

HARRINGTON, Del. - Some of harness racing's top aged pacers will battle in the 13th Annual $150,000 Bobby Quillen Memorial this Monday September 16 at Harrington Raceway.
The race is named in honor of long time Delaware legislator Bobby Quillen, who passed away in 2006. Quillen was a regular at the racetrack who enjoyed coming to the races and was a board member of Harrington Raceway.
The Quillen is carded as the 8th race on a 14-race program.
The field is an accomplished bunch that includes Canadian Pacing Derby champ Courtly Choice (7/1, James Macdonald). Owned by Hutt Racing Stable, Mac and Heim Stables and Touchstone Farms, the 4-year-old Art Major stallion is still revered for his impressive Little Brown Jug win and Meadowlands Pace wins as a sophomore and has elevated his game nicely as a 4-year-old.
Joe P Racing and Oldford Racing's None Bettor A (3/1, Jason Bartlett) has plenty of half-mile experience and his $317,470 in seasonal earnings is second only to Courtly Choice in the field. He recently won the $100,000 Great Northeast Open Series final at Pocono Downs on September 9.
Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and J&T Silva's Backstreet Shadow (6/1, Tim Tetrick) hails from a barn that has won the most Quillen finals for trainer Ron Burke. Burke has had unparalleled success in the track's signature event, winning the Quillen on six previous occasions.
Last year's Quillen runner up, Northfork Racing and Chuck Pompey's Scott Rocks (12/1, Eric Goodell), is back as the elder statesman in the field at age 9 and one of two million-dollar earners in the field.
Local standout Slick Tony (12/1, Russell Foster) is fresh off two straight wins over the track and has racked up 28 wins in 62 lifetime starts. He is the only horse in the field who has a win over the track for owner/trainer George Leager.
Completing the field are Laurie Poulin and Mike Deters' Prairie Panther (6/1, Tyler Buter), Harold Bauder's Sectionline Bigry (5/2, Tyler Smith), and Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz and American History Racing's American History (9/2, Joe Bongiorno). The aforementioned American History has recently regained top form after a stellar sophomore season in which he banked $539,682 for trainer Tony Alagna. Sectionline Bigry may be dubbed the field's "mystery horse." The 4-year-old Pet Rock gelding has been the scourge of Open level events in Ohio and won an Ohio Sire Stakes event in a lifetime best of 1:49.2, but is relatively untested versus Monday's competition.
Racing fans will also have access to the richest Standardbred in harness racing history, Foiled Again, who will have a special "meet and greet" located in the parking lot west of the grandstand area at approximately 4:30 p.m. It is only fitting that the only 3-time winner of the Quillen Memorial be present the night of the race.
Also on the wagering card will be three $20,000 first leg divisions for 2-year-old pacers of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund. Two divisions with 15 combined male pacers will be contested in the 7th and 9th races, while one five horse filly division is on the card as the 13th, with one non-wagering event at 4:10 p.m. As is often the case with 2-year-olds, the fields feature many first time starters as only three horses have notched wins already in their career. Two Les Givens-trainees, American Nitro (Victor Kirby) and Bag Of Jewels (Kirby) and Virginia Louthan-trained Spin Sumthin (Foster) are the only freshmen with wins thus far among the lightly raced group.
Post time is 4:30 p.m.

HARRINGTON, Del. - Harness racing driver Tony Morgan had the hot hand on the Tuesday program at Harrington Raceway with seven victories.
Not all of Morgan's wins came aboard favorites, especially with Clifford Grundy's Keene Olivia ($22.40) in the $20,000 Mares Open.
The 8-year-old Always a Virgin mare was an upset winner over Artrageous and Empress Deo for trainer Nick Surick, who had three wins on the card. Keene Olivia was situated second-over and found her best gear in the stretch to eclipse pacesetting Artrageous for a two length score. Keene Olivia pushed her seasonal earnings over the $100,000 mark.
Morgan also won races with Always Rock N Roll ($6.20), Hurrikane Shorty ($4.60), Cardiff ($11), Under The Hood ($2.40), Odds On Maria ($4.40) and Rollinwithholly A ($3.20).
Ross Wolfenden had a driving double.
Live racing continues a Monday through Wednesday schedule. Post time is 4:30 p.m. nightly.
by Matt Sparacino, for Harrington Raceway

HARRINGTON, Del. - George Leager's Slick Tony ($9.20, Russell Foster) was a 1:51.4 winner in the $20,000 Open harness racing feature Monday at Harrington Raceway.
The 4-year-old No Spin Zone stallion overcame post 8, with a confident first over brush that saw him clear tiring pacesetter Sicily near the half-mile and open up multiple lengths on the field.
Slick Tony overpowered his rivals from there and won by five lengths over Ideal Kiss and Q's Cruise. It was the 28th career win in 62 starts for Slick Tony, who is trained by his owner. Not only was "Tony" the scourge of his sire stakes at 2 and 3, but quickly he has become a force on the Open circuit, where most of his 10 seasonal wins have come.
The win could be a prelude to a appearance (stay tuned) in next week's September 16 $150,000 Bobby Quillen Memorial., the marquee event of the season at Harrington, featuring some of the sport's top pacers. The field will be drawn tomorrow (Tuesday).
Foster joined Ross Wolfenden, Tony Morgan and Art Stafford Jr. with driving doubles on the 13-race card.
by Matt Sparacino, for Harrington Raceway

HARRINGTON, Del. - Louis Willinger, William Daggett Jr., Lawrence Vukovic and JL Benson Stable's Ella Christina ($8.80, Tony Morgan) was a 1:54 harness racing winner Tuesday at Harrington Raceway in the $18,500 Mares Open.
The Nick Surick-trainee notched her 22nd career win and 7th win of the year with a game first over effort over Moments Of Joy and Artrageous. Ella Christina, a 5-year-old daughter of Western Ideal, has banked more than $325,000 in her career.
It was one of three driving wins on the card for Morgan.
Russell Foster and Allan Davis each had a driving double.
by Matt Sparacino, for Harrington Raceway

HARRINGTON, Del. - George Leager's Slick Tony ($2.40, Russell Foster) notched a 1:52.1 win in the $20,000 Open Pace harness racing feature Monday at Harrington Raceway.
The 4-year-old No Spin Zone stallion continued his accomplished career that saw him surpass $505,000 in career earnings with his 27th career win.
"Tony" was driven confidently in customary first-over fashion by Russell Foster who grinded away at pacesetter Daiymir before edging clear in mid stretch. Daiymir finished second while Fashionbythebeach was third. Leager is also the trainer and breeder for Slick Tony, who has banked more than $129,000 in his 4-year-old campaign after a banner sophomore season, when he earned nearly $225,000.
Foster, Allan Davis, Ross Wolfenden, Tony Morgan and Art Stafford Jr. each had two wins on the card.
by Matt Sparacino, for Harrington Raceway

HARRINGTON, Del. - George Teague Jr. and Teague Racing Partnership;s Daiymir ($4.20, Montrell Teague) was a 1:53.2 winner in the $12,500 featured harness racing conditioned pace Monday at Harrington Raceway.
The 5-year-old Mr. Wiggles stallion never looked back in his front end score where he would lead throughout over Q's Cruise and Late Mail N. It was the 7th win of the year for the Clyde Francis-trainee.
Later on the card, driver Art Stafford Jr. was recognized in a winner's circle presentation commemorating his 2,000th career win. Stafford earned the milestone at Harrah's Philadelphia on August 18 with Happy That.
Stafford Jr. didn't waste much time getting closer to his next milestone, by winning the next race with John Barth and Justin Brenneman's Meadowbrook Flash ($6) in 1:58.3. Stafford Jr., is the current leading driver at the meet.
Allan Davis had four wins on the card and has been hot since the return of Delaware racing on August 19. Davis won 5 races on that program and is currently third in the driver standings behind Stafford and Ross Wolfenden.
Joe Columbo, Mike Hall and Wayne Givens are the current top three in the trainer standings.
by Matt Sparacino, for Harrington Raceway

HARRINGTON, Del. - Driver Allan Davis had five wins and trainer Wayne Givens had four on the 14-race harness racing card Monday at Harrington Raceway.
Givens won both feature events on the program.
Legacy Racing of Delaware and Reggie Hazzard's Sicily ($4.20, Victor Kirby), a Givens trainee, notched his 5th win of the season with a 1:53 win in the $18,500 Open co-feature.
He received a pocket trip behind pacesetter Emeritus Maximus and surged by that rival late for his 28th career win. Proper One was second while Emeritus Maximus held third.
It was the third training win on the card for Givens, who also won with Ron's Eom and Inforce, both driven by Davis.
The evening for Givens and Davis only got better from there, in the $17,000 Mares Open, Givens-trainee Delishka N ($4, Davis) was a 1:53 winner over Bettors Up and Cenalta Call Girl. The 6-year-old Bettors Delight mare set all the fractions en route to her eighth win of the year for owners Legacy Racing of Delaware, Nanticoke Racing, Reggie Hazzard and Gary Calloway. Delishka N has banked nearly $120,000 in 2019.
Davis later piloted Remember Me Vk ($4.40) to victory for his fifth win.
Russell Foster added a driving triple. Montrell Teague and Kirby each had two wins.
Matt Sparacino

HARRINGTON, Del. - Harrington Raceway hosted its annual Governor's Day program Thursday during the Delaware State Fair, featuring the richest harness racing program of the season locally.
Four $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) final races for 3-year-olds comprised the majority of the $540,000 in total purses on the program.
Popular events for older horses like the $40,000 Governor's Cup also comprised the 10-race program.
Legacy Racing and Reggie Hazzard's Sicily ($3.60, Victor Kirby) won the aforementioned Governor's Cup in 1:52.2 for trainer Wayne Givens. The 7-year-old Art Major gelding led most of the way and held off Late Mail N and Q's Cruise for his 27th win of his career. Governor John Carney presented the trophy to the winning connections.
Sicily
Jason and Tim Skinner's In And Out Again ($4.20, Tim Tetrick) won the DSBF pacing filly final in impressive fashion in 1:55.3. The Roddy's Bags Again filly overcame post 8 for an easy win over stablemate Biggiessecondshot and Roddy's At It Again. In And Out Again also won the earlier season final at Dover Downs. It was one of three wins on the card for Tetrick.
Rod Allen's Disco Soliel ($7.20, Rod Allen) won the DSBF filly trotting final over Dark Dutchess and Miss Popeye in 1:59.1. The Cr Commando notched her 9th win in 12 career starts and won all four of her DSBF finals.
In the DSBF colt and gelding pacing final, Chillaxin Away ($5.20, Tetrick) scored a 1:56.2 win. The Roddy's Bags Again gelding sat behind tiring pacesetter Goldberg and surged through the stretch for a decisive score over Haymitch and Ain'tnosunshine. The Jim King Jr.-trainee recorded his 10th career win and third in DSBF final action. The King Jr.-stable also won the $20,000 President's Cup with Little Ben ($4.20, Tetrick) in 1:52.
In the DSBF colt and gelding trotting final, Andrew Glassmeyer's Embrace The Grind ($2.20, Jon Roberts) notched his 11th career win in 14 starts with a dominant 2:00 win over Rich N Royal and Just As Striking. Trained by his owner, the Keystone Activator gelding won 3-of-4 DSBF finals in his career and has more than $230,000 banked.
Fans were treated to a special appearance by two accomplished Delaware horses, both stabled in Harrington. Richard Polluci, Jim King and Tim Tetrick's Shartin N, trained by Jim King Jr. and the current #1 ranked horse in the country, led the post parade for the third race and Gary and Barbara Iles' Lather Up, who equaled the fastest mile in harness racing history earlier this month, led the post parade for the fourth race. Lather Up is trained by Clyde Francis.
Lather's Up driver, Montrell Teague, was presented with a proclamation in between races by Governor Carney, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long and US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue acknowledging the 28-year-old driver's career accomplishments, in particular being the regular driver of 2015 Horse of the Year Wiggle It Jiggleit and current stars such as Lather Up.
Montrell Teague, was presented with a proclamation
Bonnie Benson, John Johannsen, Andrew Stafford and Holly Case's Artrageous ($3.80, Art Stafford Jr.) scored a 1:53.1 win in the $30,000 Legislator's Cup for trainer and co-owner Andrew Stafford.
Howard and Linda Dege's Blownoutofthewater ($8.80, Tony Morgan) was a 1:57 winner in the $30,000 Charles Murphy Jr. Memorial Trot for trainer Will Reynolds.
Matt Sparacino

HARRINGTON, Del. - Harrington Raceway's richest harness racing program of the season will commence Thursday (July 25) as part of the annual Governor's Day program during the Delaware State Fair.
A 10-race card with nearly $600,000 in total purses will start at 7 p.m.
Four Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund $100,000 finals for 3-year-olds will accompany popular annual events for older horses such as the $40,000 Governor's Cup, $30,000 Legislator's Cup, $30,000 Charles Murphy Memorial Trot and $20,000 President's Cup among others.
A special addition for this year's Governor's Day program will be the presence of two of Delaware's most notable Standardbreds, both of which are stabled in Harrington. Shartin N, the 2018 Dan Patch winner for Pacing Mare of the Year and current number one ranked horse in all of North America, as well as Lather Up, who earlier this month equaled harness racing's fastest mile of all-time of 1:46, will both be on-track to lead a post parade. The two pacers have garnered national attention and are even listed among Harrington's famous residents on the Wikipedia listing for the town. Shartin N will lead the third race Governor's Cup field, while Lather Up will lead the fourth race Legislator's Cup group.
The female pacers will kick off the program in the first race on the card, and first of the DSBF finals. A competitive group will go post ward that includes a powerful Jason Skinner-trained duo of Biggiessecondshot (4/1, Ross Wolfenden) and In And Out Again (5/2, Tim Tetrick). In And Out Again, a Roddy's Bags Again filly owned by Jason and Tim Skinner, swept her eliminations and won the earlier season final at Dover Downs. A daughter of No Spin Zone, Biggiessecondshot is owned by Joan Dalphon, Elanor Laws and the trainer.
The filly trotting final is slated sixth on the card, as Carol Jamieson-Parker's Dark Dutchess (9/5, Jack Parker Jr.), a daughter of He's Spooky, will vie for a sweep after winning both of her eliminations impressively. Rod Allen's Disco Soliel (5/2, Allen), a CR Commando filly, won the final at Dover Downs and looks to thwart Dark Dutchess' bid.
The male pacing final is the 8th race, Mst Racing Inc.'s Goldberg (9/5, Montrell Teague) will vie for a sweep of both 3-year-old finals after prevailing at Dover. The Mr. Wiggles colt won his June 10 elimination by 11 lengths.
The male trotting final will follow as Andrew Glassmeyer's Embrace The Grind (8/5, Jon Roberts) bids for a third straight win. The Keystone Activator gelding swept the eliminations and final at Dover Downs.
The Governor's Cup, programmed as race three, spearheads the races for older horses as Jo Ann Looney King's Q's Cruise (9/5, Tetrick) was installed as the morning line favorite. The Honorable Governor John Carney is expected to be on hand to present the trophy to the winning connections for the popular annual event with local bragging rights at stake. Legacy Racing and Reggie Hazzard's Sicily (2/1, Kirby) recently surpassed $500,000 in career earnings and figures to have a strong presence in the race among the contentious field.
A formidable group will battle in the 4th race Legislator's Cup for pacing mares, familiar rivals like Vince Copeland's Goin Again (7/2, Copeland), Bonnie Benson, John Johannsen, Andrew Stafford and Holly Case's Artrageous (3/1, Art Stafford Jr.) and Legacy Racing, Nanticoke Racing, Reggie Hazzard and Gary Calloway's Delishka N (4/1, Allan Davis) among the field of eight.
The featured event for older trotters if the Charles Murphy Jr. Memorial, the seventh race. Victor Kirby's Jammin Jack (2/1, Kirby) will look to make his state fair debut a winning one after a banner 2019 campaign in which he has been in the top three in 16 of 20 starts.
Matthew Sparacino

HARRINGTON, Del. - Nanticoke Racing Inc, Barry Spedden and Joshua Parker's Almighty Johnson N ($16, Art Stafford Jr.) was a 1:56.1 harness racing winner in the $17,000 Open Trot Wednesday at Harrington Raceway.
The New Zealand-import had a slow start to his domestic career, after finishing off the board in his first three starts. The 8-year-old Majestic Son gelding has quickly turned it around however, with three straight victories for co-owner/trainer Parker. He left the gate quickly from post position two and assumed command where he would set fractions of 28.1, 57.3 and 1:27.1. Jammin Jack challenged first over and battled gamely through the stretch, but would come up a head short to Almighty Johnson. Theresademoninme finished third.
Allan Davis had three winners on the card. Mike Cole and Tony Morgan each had a driving double.
Live racing on the Delaware circuit now goes on a hiatus until the traditional Governor's Day program (special 7 p.m. post time) during the Delaware State Fair on July 25.
Matthew Sparacino

HARRINGTON, Del. - Delishka N (Allan Davis, $4.80) notched a 1:52.3 harness racing win in the featured $20,000 Mares Open Tuesday. The Wayne Givens-trainee picked up her third win of the meet and sixth win of the season for owners Legacy Racing, Nanticoke Racing, Reggie Hazzard and Gary Calloway.
Delishka followed pacesetter Artrageous until the home stretch and would surge by Artrageous for her 21st career win. Cruzinforavictory was third.
Allan Davis had four wins on the card. Mike Cole had a double. After the June 26 program, live racing will be on a hiatus in Delaware until the traditional Governor's Day program during the Delaware State Fair on July 25. Live racing for the summer/fall meet will then resume on August 19.
Matthew Sparacino

HARRINGTON, Del. - Gary Simpson's Wichita Lineman ($25, Art Stafford Jr.) won his third straight race Monday, this time in the featured harness racing $20,000 Open at Harrington Raceway.
Just like he did in his previous two wins, the 6-year-old Bettor's Delight gelding received a two-hole trip, stalking pacesetter Late Main N throughout before surging to the lead in the stretch. Sicily was second, while Q's Cruise finished third. Trained by his owner, it was the 16th career win for Wichita Lineman. It was one of five victories on the card for Stafford, two of which were trained by Simpson. Tony Morgan had a driving triple.
Earlier on the card, driver Kim Vincent notched his 1,500th career win in the second race aboard Rock N Roll Jet, who was a 1:54 repeat winner for trainer William Bright. Vincent has spent much of his career racing on the Delaware and Maryland circuits.
Allan Davis had a driving double.
Matthew Sparacino